Chapter 1
Vocabulary: Halte – German for stop
Resistance –organized underground movement in a country fighting
against a foreign invader or occupying army
rucksack – a kind of back pack
1. Briefly describe Annemarie and Ellen including a physical description of each girl and a brief description of each girl’s personality. Annemarie is a spirited girl who is lanky and has long legs. Annemarie has silvery blond hair.
Ellen is short and stocky,and she has dark hair. She also has rosy cheeks and dark eyes. Nice job!! coco
2. What is the De Frie Danske? Why does Mrs. Johansen believe the soldiers stopped the girls in the street? The De Frie Danske is an illegal newspaper. Mrs. Johansen thinks the soldiers stopped the girls because they are edgy about the Resistance incidents. 3. What does Annemarie understand about the Resistance? What can the reader infer about Peter Neilsen from the information about him in this chapter? Annemarie understands that the Resistance is a group of secret Danish fighters who are determined to bring harm to the Nazis any way they can. Peter seems like a nice person to bring them the newpaper, but it is an illegal newspaper, so Peter must be very brave and secretive to do something so risky.
4. Why do you suppose Mrs. Rosen cautions the children to “be one of the crowd, always.” Be one of the many. Be sure that they never have reason to remember your face”? I think Mrs. Rosen cautions the children because if the soldiers remember someone, they could possibly use that information against them at a future time.
Chapter 2
1. Papa tells Annemarie the story of the young boy who tells the German soldier that King Christian does not need special body guards because “all of Denmark is his bodyguard.” What does this story reveal to the reader about the Danish people It reveals that the Danish people are VERY loyal to their king and they will go great lengths to protect him.
2. Foreshadowing is the literary term for an author’s use of hints to suggest what action is to come. In what sense might this passage be an example of foreshadowing?
“Yes,” (Papa) said at last. “It is true. Any Danish citizen would die for Kings Christian, to protect him.”
“You too, Papa?”
“Yes”
“And Mama?”
“Mama, too.”
Annemarie shivered again. “Then I would too, Papa. If I had to.” This could be a sense of forshadowing because it makes you feel like someone will end up dying for the king.
3. For what reasons did King Christian surrender to the Nazis? He surrenders to the Nazis because he knows that if they fought, many Danish soldiers and citizens would die.
4. In what ways has Peter changed since Lise’s death? Peter has changed because when Lise was alive, he was fun-loving and sang nonsense songs to the girls. Now he is more serious and his visits are short.
Chapter 3
Vocabulary: curfew – a time in the evening when citizens may not appear in public
Kroner – Danish money
Swastika – symbol of Nazis
1. List at least three hardships the people of Copenhagen must endure because of the war. The people of Copenhagen must use candles because electricity is rationd. They also have to go without pink-frosted cupcakes, and they couldn't take vacations to the seashore anymore.
2. Why is Mama “troubled” when Annemarie tells her the button shop is closed? Mama is troubled because the button shop was closed and it had a german sign on the door; which means the Nazis were involved.
3. What information about the Germans in Denmark does Peter bring when he comes to visit? Wnen Peter comes, he says that the Germans have issued the closinng of many stores run by Jewish people.
4. Annemarie realizes that her friend Ellen is Jewish and is in danger. Worried about her friend, Annemarie says, “Now I think that all of Denmark must be a bodyguard for the Jews.” Later in her bed, Annemarie wonders if she would really be brave enough to risk her life for Denmark’s Jews. She thinks to herself that she was glad to be an ordinary person who would never be called upon for courage. What future event might this passage foreshadow? Is there a theme being expressed here and what is it? This passage is forshadowing that Annemarie might be called upon for courage to help the Jews. I think there might be a few themes expressed here. Annemarie is grateful that she is not a Jew and that she is not involved in the war. She is also doubtful about whether or not she would risk her life for the king or for the Jews.
Chapter 4
Vocabulary: rabbi – the spiritual head of a Jewish congregation
Sabbath – the seventh day of the week, set aside for rest and worship by Jews
Synagogue – a building used by Jews for worship
1. For what reason does Kirsti mistakenly believe that she once saw the fireworks at the Tivoli Gardens? Kristi thinks she saw the fireworks because Annemarie's mother told her she was watching them when it was really the naval ships exploding. Annemarie's mother said it was fireworks so Kristi wouldn't be scared.
2. What does Annemarie’s father think about the Jewish “relocation”? Annemarie's father says that the Jewish relocation is wrong, dangerous, and the Danish should do anything they can to prevent it.
3. Why do you suppose Peter leaves Ellen with Annemarie’s family instead of including her when he helps her parents to go somewhere to hide? He leaves her with the Johansons because that is where he originally wanted the whole family to stay. Then he realized that hiding the whole family there would be too risky, and he takes Ellen's parents into hiding. Also, Peter doesn't take Ellen with him because he and the Johanson parents think that she would be safer with the Johansons.
Chapter 5
Vocabulary: imperious – arrogant, domineering
Star of David – a six-pointed star; a symbol of Judaism
1. When Annemarie and Ellen talk about Lise’s accident, Annemarie remembers that her “Papa looked so angry. He made one hand into a fist, and he kept pounding it into the other hand.” What does this description of Papa’s reaction to Lise’s death suggest to the reader about the nature of her accident? I think it shows the reader that this accident wasn't just a mistake, and that there was a bigger reason behind why she had died.
2. Ellen is worried that the Germans will come into the Johansen home and take her away. Annemarie reassures Ellen by telling her that she is safe. Why does Annemarie believe Ellen is safe? Annemarie believes Ellen is safe because Annemarie thinks that the German soldiers will never come to their house.
3. Why does Pape tear the threee photographs out of the album? Papa tears the photos out of the album because below the pictures in the book, it says the date in which they were born, but Lise was born twenty-one years earlier then Ellen.
Chapter 6
1. What are Papa and Uncle Henrik talking about when they talk about “cigarettes”? When they are talking about bringing one carton of cigarettes they mean that Mama and the girls will bring one Jewish refugee with them.
2. For what reason is Uncle Henrik’s home a good place to take a Jewish refugee? Uncle Henrik's home is a good place for a Jewish refugee because it is out in the country and it has a lot of spare rooms and other small spaces.
Chapter 7
1. Briefly describe Mama’s relationship with her brother Henrik. They are very close, they rely on each other, and they usually tease each other.
2. What is different about this visit to Uncle Henrik’s house from visits Annemarie has made there in times past? In the past, Annemarie has heard laughter from the kitchen as Mama and Henrik talked and listened to the radio while Annemarie was falling asleep. This time she didn't hear anyone laughing downstairs in the kitchen at all.
Chapter 8
1.Most of the day Annemarie and Ellen happily play until Uncle Henrik returns to the house. What two statements does he make that worry or puzzle Annemarie? How does she react when she hears these statements? Annemarie hears Uncle Henrik say, "Tomorrow will be a good day for fishing." and "I will be going back to the boat tonoght after supper. We will leave very early in the morning. I will stay in the boat all night." Both these statements are puzzling to her and she tries to think them over but then shakes the thought off. She is also confused by the reference to Great-aunt Birte.
Chapter 9
1. Who do you think the ‘mourners” are? I think the mourners are people that Peter is trying to help, or maybe they are people helping Peter.
2. How does Uncle Hunrik explain to Annemarie why he and Mama lied to her about Great –aunt Birte? Uncle Henrik explains that sometimes it is easier to be brave if you don't know everything, so to 'protect' Annemarie they lied to her.
3. Find a line from this chapter that shows Annemarie is maturing. Annemarie feels older after Uncle Henrick explains why he and Mama lied to her. She feels older and more mature because now she knows about the wall of lies that help protect her from the reality that before she wasn't ready to know about.
Chapter 10
Vocabulary: typhus - a very infectious and deadly disease
1. What familiar phrase is in the psalm that Peter reads to the “mourners”? "he who numbers the stars one by one" is the familiar phrase from the psalm. In it, Peter reads number the stars, which is the title of this book.
2. How do you think most of the people at Uncle Henrik’s house felt during the wake? I think they feel scared, confused, and afraid.
3. How does Mama keep the soldier from opening the casket? She says that "Aunt Birtie" had typhus and died. The soldiers didn't want to be near a diseased woman, so they left the casket alone.
4. Reread the psalm and Annemarie’s reaction to the reading of it. What do you think is the significance of the title of this book?
I think the title of this book is called number the stars because in the psalm, it says that God will "heal the broken in spirit and bind up their wounds", whichis what the danish need right now. Even in this big world with so many stars, violence, and war, God will take care of us.Good explanation!
Chapter 11
1. What is in the casket?
There are blankets and coats in the casket.
2. Why did Peter insist upon giving the baby some medicine? Peter gave the baby medicine so it wouldn't cry and it would go to sleep.
3. One possible theme for this novel is that it is easier for people to be brave if they do not know everything. Use an incident that happened in this novel to prove this. When the Nazi soldiers ask Annemarie, "Who died?" it would have been easier to lie and say,"Aunt Birtie" if she had not known it was really a lie.
4. Find a section of this chapter that shows Annemarie no longer thinks of herself as the carefree child she once was. Annemarie no longer thinks of herself as a carefree child when Peter's funny comment after his goodbye didn't seem like the lighthearted fun from the past. Those funny comments were something of the past, and now they were gone.
Chapter 12
1. Do you think Annemarie will meet any soldiers on the way to Uncle Henrik’s boat? Yes, I think Annemarie will meet some soldiers.
2. What observations about waiting does Annemarie make in this chapter? Annemarie notices that it is harder for the people who are waiting. There is less danger, but more fear.
3. Why does Annemarie worry about her mother’s safety Annemarie worries about her mother's safety because she knows that her mother's expedition will be dangerous and risky.
Chapter 13
1. Why does Annemarie volunteer to take the packet to Uncle Henrik? Annemarie volunteers to take the packet because her mother is in no condition to do it and her sister is asleep.Doesn't she also realize that this packet is extremely important?
2. Why doesn’t Mama tell Annemarie what is in the basket? Mama doesn't tell Annemarie what is in the basket because knowing what was in the basket will only make Annemarie more nervous about the journey to bring it to Uncle Henrik. Also Mama wants Annemarie to hurry along and doesn't want to spend precious time telling Annemarie about what's in the basket.
Chapter 14
1. There is a reference to the story of Little Red Riding Hood in this chapter. Which characters from story are like Red Riding Hood and the wolf? I think Ellen is like Red Riding Hood and the Nazi soldiers are like the wolf. The soldiers want to track her down and "eat" her. Just like Red Riding Hood, Ellen is brave, "outsmarts" the soldiers, and gets away.
2. In this chapter we see that Annemarie is confronted with reality and begins to less of a child. What is the reality she confronts? The reality she confronts is that life is no fairytale story. The bedtime stories she reads to Kristi are not the real world. The can be bad things in the stories, but the hero always defeats them. In life, we have those bad things, but we don't always defeat them.
Chapter 15
1. What is your reaction to how the soldiers treated Annemarie? I think the soldiers were VERY rude and mean to poor Annemarie.
2. List three times when the German soldiers are rude to Annemarie. The German soldiers are rude to Annemarie when they eat the bread meant for her uncle, when they completely ignored her, and the soldiers spoke to her in barking and snapping tones.
3. Why does Annemarie act like Kirsti? Annemarie acts like Kirsti because Kristi is a child that nobody would expect to be hiding something. She is a carefree, talkative girl who sometimes seems completely unaware of the danger around her.
4. Did anything Uncle Henrik tell Annemarie surprise you? What? It suprised me when Henrik said,"They took my bread, eh? I hope they choke on it." He didn't really seem like the person who would say something like that. He seemed like more of a quiet fisherman to me and not the 'I hope they choke on it' kind.
Chapter 16.
1. How does Uncle Henrik define “brave” to Annemarie? Based on this definition, is Annnemarie be considered brave? Uncle Henrik says brave is not thinking about the dangers, but keeping your mind focused on what you have to do. Based on this, I would say that Annemarie is brave because when she was running through the woods to bring the packet to Uncle Henrik, she didn't think about the possibility of the Nazis catching her, but she compared her expedition to Red Riding Hood's and focused on getting the packet there safely.
2. What secret information does Uncle Henrik share with Annemarie about the Rosens? Uncle Henrik tells Annemarie about how the Rosens were crammed in a secret compartment under the boards of his ship. Then they stayed in there as Henrik took them all the way to Sweden where they could be free.
3. Describe something funny that happens in this chapter. At the end of the chapter, Thor the kitten falls into a bucket of fresh milk from Blossom the cow.
Chapter 17
1. This chapter takes place two years later after the war. How do the Danish people include their Jewish neighbors in the celebration? The Danish people hang Danish flags and banners from the porchs of their Jewish neighbors' houses.
2. How did Peter die? How did Lise really die? Peter died because the Nazis found out he was in the Resistance and they marched him out into the town square and shot him in front of everybody. Lise really didn't die the way Papa said she did. Lise was also in the Resistance and when the Nazis found out about one of their secret meetings, people ran everywhere as the Nazis were shooting. Lise was running away down the street when they spotted her from an German vehicle. The Nazis chased her and eventually ran her over on purpose.
3. Where does Annemarie hide Ellen’s Star of David necklace? Annemarie hides the necklace in the pocket of one of Lise's dresses that was stored in the trunk.
Afterward
1. List three real historical events that were included in this novel. There were three events in this book that accually happened in history. The first was when Denmark surrendered to Germany in 1940. The next was when Denmark sank their own naval ships after the Germans tried to take over them in August 1943. The last was when the rabbi at the Jewish synagogue warned the Jews that the Nazis were going to round up the Jews and "relocate" them.
__Well done, Allison! Very easy to read, too. Thank you. Daniel's Story
Chapter 1 This chapter took place on a train that Daniel and his family were forced to board. They are riding away from Germany, but they don't know exactly where they are going. Daniel gets out his photo album and looks at the pictures. He also recounts what happened on those occasions. One was when he just turned six and some others were right after that. Daniel especially thinks about one where his father's hardware store had big red letters that said 'JEWS' painted on the front. The Germans boycotted all the Jewish stores, but Daniel was six, so he didn't dwell on the thought very much. Chapter 2 Daniel is still on the train, but now he is looking at a picture of him and his sister starting their first day at a Jewish school. He remembers that his teacher was being very rude and inconsiderate to him, so he left the school. He had to go to a Jewish school that was taught by Jewish teachers that were fired from their teaching jobs at normal schools. Then the Jews weren't allowed to go in public places anymore. So they formed their own community centers and public activities. Then they go to a Jewish newsreel that just says how horrible and filthy all the Jews are, which only make Daniel have nightmares. Next, Daniel's Uncle was arrested for two parking tickets that he pleaded guilty to six years ago, and he was taken to a consentration camp. All Daniel has to say is, "Oh God help us, what is happening?"
Chapter 3 Aunt Leah gave Daniel Uncle Peter's camera after he had been arrested. Daniel made a pact that he would continue for Uncle Peter and be the family photagrapher. He remembers when they had to get their identification card stamped with a big red J. Then they had to add a Jewish name to the end of their own name because the Jewish "didn't deserve to have pure German names". Then there came November 10, 1938. Germans burned down, broke windows, and raided the stores of Jews. Daniel and his family wanted to get out of Germany and go somewhere, but they didn't have anywhere to go. The latest headline in a French newspaper read, "Jews for sale. Who wants them? No one." Things seem to kind of start to turn up when his grandma gave him a Hitler Youth uniform so he could go to normal public places. Then things went downhill again when he was forced to watch fellow Jews getting thrown at with tomatoes. They even go farther downhill when his grandma kills herself after his bar mitzvah. She said there was too much pain in her life and she wanted it to be over. His grandma saved up her sleeping pills the nursing home people gave her each night, and then she took them all at once. She never woke up.
Chapter 4 Daniel closes his photo book and thinks about one day when they thought they got a package from Uncle Peter, but really Uncle Peter had died and the soldiers sent them his ashes. Then they made all the Jewish people wear gold stars that said Jew on them. Then they were forced out of their homes and they were told what they could and couldn't pack. They were taken to warehouses where they spent the night. The next morning they were all searched and then they were put on the train that Daniel is on now. Finally, the train stops and they are at a ghetto in Lodz, Poland.
Chapter 5 After three years at Lodz, Poland, Daniel is now on a different train. He is thinking back on his memories of Lodz, Poland. When they first arrived, they realized it was a ghetto (a place were they set up housing for people. The conditions are terrible.) There is starvation, rations, and food shortages. They live in a schoolhouse (with no heating), but then they moved into a one-room apartment. Each person got one loaf of bread a week and on some days they got soup. People got frostbite and they also got some other illnesses too. People were taken away and those who didn't listen were shot.
Chapter 6 Daniel met Rosa, another girl at the ghetto. She is sweet, pretty, and Daniel is in LOVE with her. She wants to do anything to fight the Nazis. Rosa and some other people form a group against the Nazis. Daniel, his sister, and his cousin join.
Chapter 7 Daniel and Rosa are still in LOVE. They watch Erika play violin, they work for justice, and they struggle to live. Daniel's mom gets sick, but they scavenge an empty apartment and find wood to burn, which keeps them warm for the winter. They also find out that most of the people that were sent away were taken to Chelmno where they were killed. Now they know that they have to work their hardest not to be deported.
Chapter 8 The Anti-Nazi group Rosa formed is working together so that everybody will get fair rations at work. Then very good news came. It was D-Day! Everyone was joyous and happy, until the Germans announced another transport would be shipped out. They decide that Daniel and Friedrich would hide in a cellar and Papa would go with Mama and Erika because it would be too cold and damp. Then Erika, quietest of them all proves to be the bravest in proclaiming the truth when Rosa and Daniel were convinced that God should have never created humans.
Chapter 9 After a sad goodbye Rosa goes into hiding with her parents, and Friedrich leaves for the cellar. Daniel leaves a little later, but he is caught by the soldiers and thrown on a train. After a while, the train arrives at Auschwitz, a horrible concentration camp. He sees his mom and sister, but they can't hear him. Then he sees his father, and thy reunite. They can't tell what happened to Mama and Erika, but both Papa and Daniel are saved. Their bodies are shaved, they are forced to wear uniforms, and then they are herded into a room for the night.
Chapter 10 Now Daniel is on ANOTHER train with his father, and he is going through the memories in his head. He remembers all the horrible things about Auschwitz. They were beaten and marched out at four in the morning. They were taken to a large field where the soldiers counted and recounted everybody. Anyone who tripped or fell was immediately shot. Then they were marched out to work in factories. The worst thing was when they were marching to work a band played music. One day, Daniel saw ERIKA playing the violin!! He throws her a scrap of cloth with a message on it.
Chapter 11 As Daniel is still going through the pictures in his mind. He thinks about one day, when Erika saw Daniel and realized he and his father were still alive. Then he meets a boy named Adam, who was in his youth group at Lodz. Adam and his friends are planning to take pictures of all the horrible things at Auschwitz and send them to the outside. They need a photographer. Daniel offers to do it, but he soon regrets it. He has to take pictures of the pits where they are burning the bodies of the hundreds of people who have just been killed in the gas chambers. Hopefully, those pictures will make it to the outside world, so everyone could know what horrors they have to suffer through.
Chapter 12 Still going through his memories, Daniel remembers when Adam shot some of the SS officers, but he was killed. The next day, Daniel and his father met Erika and they talked, but then they were chased away. The next day Erika was not there playing her violin. Then Daniel got sick, but his father bribed the kapo and let him rest for a few days. After Daniel got better, suddenly everyone in the camp was lined up, counted, and marched out because the Russians were near. They marched in rows, and anyone who fell was shot. Bodies were scattered along the road. Eventually Daniel helped support a boy who had huge blisters on his feet. At night they slept along the sides of the roads. Finally they were loaded onto the same train they are on now. When the train stops, Daniel and the others are taken to be shaved and disinfected. Then they are given warm clothes, a shower, and some warm food. When Daniel asks where they are, his answer is Buchenwald.
Chapter 13 Daniel arrived at Buchenwald and he was assigned to be a photography assistant, taking care of Nazi families. Later, he sees the father of a family killing a small child for no apparent reason. Then Daniel decides to do resistance work.
Chapter 14 Daniel's first resistance assignment is to dismantle a gas chamber for a few nights. Some of the hardships at this concentration camp were very long hours while standing, unreasonable punishments for small problems, and experiments done on people against their will. The prisoners lived in tents while the German officers lived in luxury. Daniel and his father lived through March. Daniel was given a camera to take pictures of whatever he wanted so there could be a record. Finally the Americans were approaching.The resistance group was doing more and more against the Nazis. Finally, they were free.
Chapter 15 The Americans came and brought food and freedom to everyone in the camp. Then Daniel, father, and his friend, Peter, are on a train going to Lodz. They get out and three Polish thugs come out and start beating them up. Daniel is okay but they start kicking Peter in the head. They take Peter to the hospital, but they do not know if he will be alright.
Chapter 16 Peter dies from his injuries. Daniel goes back to the ghetto in Lodz. Then he sees Rosa and he proposes to her; she accepts! She says that Erika died after the Russians came because she did not have any more strength. Then they walk away, hand in hand, and live happily ever after.
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Number the Stars
Chapter 1
Vocabulary: Halte – German for stop
Resistance –organized underground movement in a country fighting
against a foreign invader or occupying army
rucksack – a kind of back pack
1. Briefly describe Annemarie and Ellen including a physical description of each girl and a brief description of each girl’s personality.
Annemarie is a spirited girl who is lanky and has long legs. Annemarie has silvery blond hair.
Ellen is short and stocky,and she has dark hair. She also has rosy cheeks and dark eyes.
Nice job!! coco
2. What is the De Frie Danske? Why does Mrs. Johansen believe the soldiers stopped the girls in the street?
The De Frie Danske is an illegal newspaper. Mrs. Johansen thinks the soldiers stopped the girls because they are edgy about the Resistance incidents.
3. What does Annemarie understand about the Resistance? What can the reader infer about Peter Neilsen from the information about him in this chapter?
Annemarie understands that the Resistance is a group of secret Danish fighters who are determined to bring harm to the Nazis any way they can. Peter seems like a nice person to bring them the newpaper, but it is an illegal newspaper, so Peter must be very brave and secretive to do something so risky.
4. Why do you suppose Mrs. Rosen cautions the children to “be one of the crowd, always.” Be one of the many. Be sure that they never have reason to remember your face”?
I think Mrs. Rosen cautions the children because if the soldiers remember someone, they could possibly use that information against them at a future time.
Chapter 2
1. Papa tells Annemarie the story of the young boy who tells the German soldier that King Christian does not need special body guards because “all of Denmark is his bodyguard.” What does this story reveal to the reader about the Danish people
It reveals that the Danish people are VERY loyal to their king and they will go great lengths to protect him.
2. Foreshadowing is the literary term for an author’s use of hints to suggest what action is to come. In what sense might this passage be an example of foreshadowing?
“Yes,” (Papa) said at last. “It is true. Any Danish citizen would die for Kings Christian, to protect him.”
“You too, Papa?”
“Yes”
“And Mama?”
“Mama, too.”
Annemarie shivered again. “Then I would too, Papa. If I had to.”
This could be a sense of forshadowing because it makes you feel like someone will end up dying for the king.
3. For what reasons did King Christian surrender to the Nazis?
He surrenders to the Nazis because he knows that if they fought, many Danish soldiers and citizens would die.
4. In what ways has Peter changed since Lise’s death?
Peter has changed because when Lise was alive, he was fun-loving and sang nonsense songs to the girls. Now he is more serious and his visits are short.
Chapter 3
Vocabulary: curfew – a time in the evening when citizens may not appear in public
Kroner – Danish money
Swastika – symbol of Nazis
1. List at least three hardships the people of Copenhagen must endure because of the war.
The people of Copenhagen must use candles because electricity is rationd. They also have to go without pink-frosted cupcakes, and they couldn't take vacations to the seashore anymore.
2. Why is Mama “troubled” when Annemarie tells her the button shop is closed?
Mama is troubled because the button shop was closed and it had a german sign on the door; which means the Nazis were involved.
3. What information about the Germans in Denmark does Peter bring when he comes to visit?
Wnen Peter comes, he says that the Germans have issued the closinng of many stores run by Jewish people.
4. Annemarie realizes that her friend Ellen is Jewish and is in danger. Worried about her friend, Annemarie says, “Now I think that all of Denmark must be a bodyguard for the Jews.” Later in her bed, Annemarie wonders if she would really be brave enough to risk her life for Denmark’s Jews. She thinks to herself that she was glad to be an ordinary person who would never be called upon for courage. What future event might this passage foreshadow? Is there a theme being expressed here and what is it?
This passage is forshadowing that Annemarie might be called upon for courage to help the Jews. I think there might be a few themes expressed here. Annemarie is grateful that she is not a Jew and that she is not involved in the war. She is also doubtful about whether or not she would risk her life for the king or for the Jews.
Chapter 4
Vocabulary: rabbi – the spiritual head of a Jewish congregation
Sabbath – the seventh day of the week, set aside for rest and worship by Jews
Synagogue – a building used by Jews for worship
1. For what reason does Kirsti mistakenly believe that she once saw the fireworks at the Tivoli Gardens?
Kristi thinks she saw the fireworks because Annemarie's mother told her she was watching them when it was really the naval ships exploding. Annemarie's mother said it was fireworks so Kristi wouldn't be scared.
2. What does Annemarie’s father think about the Jewish “relocation”?
Annemarie's father says that the Jewish relocation is wrong, dangerous, and the Danish should do anything they can to prevent it.
3. Why do you suppose Peter leaves Ellen with Annemarie’s family instead of including her when he helps her parents to go somewhere to hide?
He leaves her with the Johansons because that is where he originally wanted the whole family to stay. Then he realized that hiding the whole family there would be too risky, and he takes Ellen's parents into hiding. Also, Peter doesn't take Ellen with him because he and the Johanson parents think that she would be safer with the Johansons.
Chapter 5
Vocabulary: imperious – arrogant, domineering
Star of David – a six-pointed star; a symbol of Judaism
1. When Annemarie and Ellen talk about Lise’s accident, Annemarie remembers that her “Papa looked so angry. He made one hand into a fist, and he kept pounding it into the other hand.” What does this description of Papa’s reaction to Lise’s death suggest to the reader about the nature of her accident?
I think it shows the reader that this accident wasn't just a mistake, and that there was a bigger reason behind why she had died.
2. Ellen is worried that the Germans will come into the Johansen home and take her away. Annemarie reassures Ellen by telling her that she is safe. Why does Annemarie believe Ellen is safe?
Annemarie believes Ellen is safe because Annemarie thinks that the German soldiers will never come to their house.
3. Why does Pape tear the threee photographs out of the album?
Papa tears the photos out of the album because below the pictures in the book, it says the date in which they were born, but Lise was born twenty-one years earlier then Ellen.
Chapter 6
1. What are Papa and Uncle Henrik talking about when they talk about “cigarettes”?
When they are talking about bringing one carton of cigarettes they mean that Mama and the girls will bring one Jewish refugee with them.
2. For what reason is Uncle Henrik’s home a good place to take a Jewish refugee?
Uncle Henrik's home is a good place for a Jewish refugee because it is out in the country and it has a lot of spare rooms and other small spaces.
Chapter 7
1. Briefly describe Mama’s relationship with her brother Henrik.
They are very close, they rely on each other, and they usually tease each other.
2. What is different about this visit to Uncle Henrik’s house from visits Annemarie has made there in times past?
In the past, Annemarie has heard laughter from the kitchen as Mama and Henrik talked and listened to the radio while Annemarie was falling asleep. This time she didn't hear anyone laughing downstairs in the kitchen at all.
Chapter 8
1.Most of the day Annemarie and Ellen happily play until Uncle Henrik returns to the house. What two statements does he make that worry or puzzle Annemarie? How does she react when she hears these statements?
Annemarie hears Uncle Henrik say, "Tomorrow will be a good day for fishing." and "I will be going back to the boat tonoght after supper. We will leave very early in the morning. I will stay in the boat all night." Both these statements are puzzling to her and she tries to think them over but then shakes the thought off. She is also confused by the reference to Great-aunt Birte.
Chapter 9
1. Who do you think the ‘mourners” are?
I think the mourners are people that Peter is trying to help, or maybe they are people helping Peter.
2. How does Uncle Hunrik explain to Annemarie why he and Mama lied to her about Great –aunt Birte?
Uncle Henrik explains that sometimes it is easier to be brave if you don't know everything, so to 'protect' Annemarie they lied to her.
3. Find a line from this chapter that shows Annemarie is maturing.
Annemarie feels older after Uncle Henrick explains why he and Mama lied to her. She feels older and more mature because now she knows about the wall of lies that help protect her from the reality that before she wasn't ready to know about.
Chapter 10
Vocabulary: typhus - a very infectious and deadly disease
1. What familiar phrase is in the psalm that Peter reads to the “mourners”?
"he who numbers the stars one by one" is the familiar phrase from the psalm. In it, Peter reads number the stars, which is the title of this book.
2. How do you think most of the people at Uncle Henrik’s house felt during the wake?
I think they feel scared, confused, and afraid.
3. How does Mama keep the soldier from opening the casket?
She says that "Aunt Birtie" had typhus and died. The soldiers didn't want to be near a diseased woman, so they left the casket alone.
4. Reread the psalm and Annemarie’s reaction to the reading of it. What do you think is the significance of the title of this book?
- I think the title of this book is called number the stars because in the psalm, it says that God will "heal the broken in spirit and bind up their wounds", whichis what the danish need right now. Even in this big world with so many stars, violence, and war, God will take care of us.Good explanation!
- Chapter 11
There are blankets and coats in the casket.1. What is in the casket?
2. Why did Peter insist upon giving the baby some medicine?
Peter gave the baby medicine so it wouldn't cry and it would go to sleep.
3. One possible theme for this novel is that it is easier for people to be brave if they do not know everything. Use an incident that happened in this novel to prove this.
When the Nazi soldiers ask Annemarie, "Who died?" it would have been easier to lie and say,"Aunt Birtie" if she had not known it was really a lie.
4. Find a section of this chapter that shows Annemarie no longer thinks of herself as the carefree child she once was.
Annemarie no longer thinks of herself as a carefree child when Peter's funny comment after his goodbye didn't seem like the lighthearted fun from the past. Those funny comments were something of the past, and now they were gone.
Chapter 12
1. Do you think Annemarie will meet any soldiers on the way to Uncle Henrik’s boat?
Yes, I think Annemarie will meet some soldiers.
2. What observations about waiting does Annemarie make in this chapter?
Annemarie notices that it is harder for the people who are waiting. There is less danger, but more fear.
3. Why does Annemarie worry about her mother’s safety
Annemarie worries about her mother's safety because she knows that her mother's expedition will be dangerous and risky.
Chapter 13
1. Why does Annemarie volunteer to take the packet to Uncle Henrik?
Annemarie volunteers to take the packet because her mother is in no condition to do it and her sister is asleep. Doesn't she also realize that this packet is extremely important?
2. Why doesn’t Mama tell Annemarie what is in the basket?
Mama doesn't tell Annemarie what is in the basket because knowing what was in the basket will only make Annemarie more nervous about the journey to bring it to Uncle Henrik. Also Mama wants Annemarie to hurry along and doesn't want to spend precious time telling Annemarie about what's in the basket.
Chapter 14
1. There is a reference to the story of Little Red Riding Hood in this chapter. Which characters from story are like Red Riding Hood and the wolf?
I think Ellen is like Red Riding Hood and the Nazi soldiers are like the wolf. The soldiers want to track her down and "eat" her. Just like Red Riding Hood, Ellen is brave, "outsmarts" the soldiers, and gets away.
2. In this chapter we see that Annemarie is confronted with reality and begins to less of a child. What is the reality she confronts?
The reality she confronts is that life is no fairytale story. The bedtime stories she reads to Kristi are not the real world. The can be bad things in the stories, but the hero always defeats them. In life, we have those bad things, but we don't always defeat them.
Chapter 15
1. What is your reaction to how the soldiers treated Annemarie?
I think the soldiers were VERY rude and mean to poor Annemarie.
2. List three times when the German soldiers are rude to Annemarie.
The German soldiers are rude to Annemarie when they eat the bread meant for her uncle, when they completely ignored her, and the soldiers spoke to her in barking and snapping tones.
3. Why does Annemarie act like Kirsti?
Annemarie acts like Kirsti because Kristi is a child that nobody would expect to be hiding something. She is a carefree, talkative girl who sometimes seems completely unaware of the danger around her.
4. Did anything Uncle Henrik tell Annemarie surprise you? What?
It suprised me when Henrik said,"They took my bread, eh? I hope they choke on it." He didn't really seem like the person who would say something like that. He seemed like more of a quiet fisherman to me and not the 'I hope they choke on it' kind.
Chapter 16.
1. How does Uncle Henrik define “brave” to Annemarie? Based on this definition, is Annnemarie be considered brave?
Uncle Henrik says brave is not thinking about the dangers, but keeping your mind focused on what you have to do. Based on this, I would say that Annemarie is brave because when she was running through the woods to bring the packet to Uncle Henrik, she didn't think about the possibility of the Nazis catching her, but she compared her expedition to Red Riding Hood's and focused on getting the packet there safely.
2. What secret information does Uncle Henrik share with Annemarie about the Rosens?
Uncle Henrik tells Annemarie about how the Rosens were crammed in a secret compartment under the boards of his ship. Then they stayed in there as Henrik took them all the way to Sweden where they could be free.
3. Describe something funny that happens in this chapter.
At the end of the chapter, Thor the kitten falls into a bucket of fresh milk from Blossom the cow.
Chapter 17
1. This chapter takes place two years later after the war. How do the Danish people include their Jewish neighbors in the celebration?
The Danish people hang Danish flags and banners from the porchs of their Jewish neighbors' houses.
2. How did Peter die? How did Lise really die?
Peter died because the Nazis found out he was in the Resistance and they marched him out into the town square and shot him in front of everybody. Lise really didn't die the way Papa said she did. Lise was also in the Resistance and when the Nazis found out about one of their secret meetings, people ran everywhere as the Nazis were shooting. Lise was running away down the street when they spotted her from an German vehicle. The Nazis chased her and eventually ran her over on purpose.
3. Where does Annemarie hide Ellen’s Star of David necklace?
Annemarie hides the necklace in the pocket of one of Lise's dresses that was stored in the trunk.
Afterward
1. List three real historical events that were included in this novel.
There were three events in this book that accually happened in history. The first was when Denmark surrendered to Germany in 1940. The next was when Denmark sank their own naval ships after the Germans tried to take over them in August 1943. The last was when the rabbi at the Jewish synagogue warned the Jews that the Nazis were going to round up the Jews and "relocate" them.
__Well done, Allison! Very easy to read, too. Thank you.
Daniel's Story
Chapter 1
This chapter took place on a train that Daniel and his family were forced to board. They are riding away from Germany, but they don't know exactly where they are going. Daniel gets out his photo album and looks at the pictures. He also recounts what happened on those occasions. One was when he just turned six and some others were right after that. Daniel especially thinks about one where his father's hardware store had big red letters that said 'JEWS' painted on the front. The Germans boycotted all the Jewish stores, but Daniel was six, so he didn't dwell on the thought very much.
Chapter 2
Daniel is still on the train, but now he is looking at a picture of him and his sister starting their first day at a Jewish school. He remembers that his teacher was being very rude and inconsiderate to him, so he left the school. He had to go to a Jewish school that was taught by Jewish teachers that were fired from their teaching jobs at normal schools. Then the Jews weren't allowed to go in public places anymore. So they formed their own community centers and public activities. Then they go to a Jewish newsreel that just says how horrible and filthy all the Jews are, which only make Daniel have nightmares. Next, Daniel's Uncle was arrested for two parking tickets that he pleaded guilty to six years ago, and he was taken to a consentration camp. All Daniel has to say is, "Oh God help us, what is happening?"
Chapter 3
Aunt Leah gave Daniel Uncle Peter's camera after he had been arrested. Daniel made a pact that he would continue for Uncle Peter and be the family photagrapher. He remembers when they had to get their identification card stamped with a big red J. Then they had to add a Jewish name to the end of their own name because the Jewish "didn't deserve to have pure German names". Then there came November 10, 1938. Germans burned down, broke windows, and raided the stores of Jews. Daniel and his family wanted to get out of Germany and go somewhere, but they didn't have anywhere to go. The latest headline in a French newspaper read, "Jews for sale. Who wants them? No one." Things seem to kind of start to turn up when his grandma gave him a Hitler Youth uniform so he could go to normal public places. Then things went downhill again when he was forced to watch fellow Jews getting thrown at with tomatoes. They even go farther downhill when his grandma kills herself after his bar mitzvah. She said there was too much pain in her life and she wanted it to be over. His grandma saved up her sleeping pills the nursing home people gave her each night, and then she took them all at once. She never woke up.
Chapter 4
Daniel closes his photo book and thinks about one day when they thought they got a package from Uncle Peter, but really Uncle Peter had died and the soldiers sent them his ashes. Then they made all the Jewish people wear gold stars that said Jew on them. Then they were forced out of their homes and they were told what they could and couldn't pack. They were taken to warehouses where they spent the night. The next morning they were all searched and then they were put on the train that Daniel is on now. Finally, the train stops and they are at a ghetto in Lodz, Poland.
Chapter 5
After three years at Lodz, Poland, Daniel is now on a different train. He is thinking back on his memories of Lodz, Poland. When they first arrived, they realized it was a ghetto (a place were they set up housing for people. The conditions are terrible.) There is starvation, rations, and food shortages. They live in a schoolhouse (with no heating), but then they moved into a one-room apartment. Each person got one loaf of bread a week and on some days they got soup. People got frostbite and they also got some other illnesses too. People were taken away and those who didn't listen were shot.
Chapter 6
Daniel met Rosa, another girl at the ghetto. She is sweet, pretty, and Daniel is in LOVE with her. She wants to do anything to fight the Nazis. Rosa and some other people form a group against the Nazis. Daniel, his sister, and his cousin join.
Chapter 7
Daniel and Rosa are still in LOVE. They watch Erika play violin, they work for justice, and they struggle to live. Daniel's mom gets sick, but they scavenge an empty apartment and find wood to burn, which keeps them warm for the winter. They also find out that most of the people that were sent away were taken to Chelmno where they were killed. Now they know that they have to work their hardest not to be deported.
Chapter 8
The Anti-Nazi group Rosa formed is working together so that everybody will get fair rations at work. Then very good news came. It was D-Day! Everyone was joyous and happy, until the Germans announced another transport would be shipped out. They decide that Daniel and Friedrich would hide in a cellar and Papa would go with Mama and Erika because it would be too cold and damp. Then Erika, quietest of them all proves to be the bravest in proclaiming the truth when Rosa and Daniel were convinced that God should have never created humans.
Chapter 9
After a sad goodbye Rosa goes into hiding with her parents, and Friedrich leaves for the cellar. Daniel leaves a little later, but he is caught by the soldiers and thrown on a train. After a while, the train arrives at Auschwitz, a horrible concentration camp. He sees his mom and sister, but they can't hear him. Then he sees his father, and thy reunite. They can't tell what happened to Mama and Erika, but both Papa and Daniel are saved. Their bodies are shaved, they are forced to wear uniforms, and then they are herded into a room for the night.
Chapter 10
Now Daniel is on ANOTHER train with his father, and he is going through the memories in his head. He remembers all the horrible things about Auschwitz. They were beaten and marched out at four in the morning. They were taken to a large field where the soldiers counted and recounted everybody. Anyone who tripped or fell was immediately shot. Then they were marched out to work in factories. The worst thing was when they were marching to work a band played music. One day, Daniel saw ERIKA playing the violin!! He throws her a scrap of cloth with a message on it.
Chapter 11
As Daniel is still going through the pictures in his mind. He thinks about one day, when Erika saw Daniel and realized he and his father were still alive. Then he meets a boy named Adam, who was in his youth group at Lodz. Adam and his friends are planning to take pictures of all the horrible things at Auschwitz and send them to the outside. They need a photographer. Daniel offers to do it, but he soon regrets it. He has to take pictures of the pits where they are burning the bodies of the hundreds of people who have just been killed in the gas chambers. Hopefully, those pictures will make it to the outside world, so everyone could know what horrors they have to suffer through.
Chapter 12
Still going through his memories, Daniel remembers when Adam shot some of the SS officers, but he was killed. The next day, Daniel and his father met Erika and they talked, but then they were chased away. The next day Erika was not there playing her violin. Then Daniel got sick, but his father bribed the kapo and let him rest for a few days. After Daniel got better, suddenly everyone in the camp was lined up, counted, and marched out because the Russians were near. They marched in rows, and anyone who fell was shot. Bodies were scattered along the road. Eventually Daniel helped support a boy who had huge blisters on his feet. At night they slept along the sides of the roads. Finally they were loaded onto the same train they are on now. When the train stops, Daniel and the others are taken to be shaved and disinfected. Then they are given warm clothes, a shower, and some warm food. When Daniel asks where they are, his answer is Buchenwald.
Chapter 13
Daniel arrived at Buchenwald and he was assigned to be a photography assistant, taking care of Nazi families. Later, he sees the father of a family killing a small child for no apparent reason. Then Daniel decides to do resistance work.
Chapter 14
Daniel's first resistance assignment is to dismantle a gas chamber for a few nights. Some of the hardships at this concentration camp were very long hours while standing, unreasonable punishments for small problems, and experiments done on people against their will. The prisoners lived in tents while the German officers lived in luxury. Daniel and his father lived through March. Daniel was given a camera to take pictures of whatever he wanted so there could be a record. Finally the Americans were approaching.The resistance group was doing more and more against the Nazis. Finally, they were free.
Chapter 15
The Americans came and brought food and freedom to everyone in the camp. Then Daniel, father, and his friend, Peter, are on a train going to Lodz. They get out and three Polish thugs come out and start beating them up. Daniel is okay but they start kicking Peter in the head. They take Peter to the hospital, but they do not know if he will be alright.
Chapter 16
Peter dies from his injuries. Daniel goes back to the ghetto in Lodz. Then he sees Rosa and he proposes to her; she accepts! She says that Erika died after the Russians came because she did not have any more strength. Then they walk away, hand in hand, and live happily ever after.
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